During an in-depth look at sexual assaults in the military on Veterans Day, Ari Rabin-Havt, host of The Agenda on SiriusXM Progress, took a call from Todd from Wisconsin, a military veteran who was brave enough to share the story of his own attack while stationed in California.

After he and other victims came forward, and the assailant was sentenced to seven years in prison, Todd says the ensuing persecution of him and the other victims spiraled into years of alcoholism, depression, and attempts at suicide.

“Until more men speak up, I don’t think… Congress will take (military sexual assaults) as seriously as (they need to). It’s not going to hit home to them if (only) women speak up. They view them as sexual objects instead of military members,” Todd said.